Monday, October 13, 2014

Press Release to Berk-Mont Newspapers published online 10/13/14. Link to the article here.

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Stores that sell contact lenses without a prescription is illegal.
Those who purchase decorative contact lenses as an accessory for a
Halloween costume can put their eyes at risk, warns Dr. Brendon J.
Weaver from Weaver Eye Care Associates in Bernville.

There are many different designs of Halloween contact lenses out
there: crazy, funny, scary, in any color, size and shape imaginable.
However, if these lenses are purchased without a prescription from an
optometrist, they could lead to blurred vision, red and irritated eyes,
and eye infections that can cause irreversible vision loss.

“Whether they correct your vision or not, all contact lenses,
including Halloween or decorative-only contacts, are considered medical
devices by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA),” said Dr.
Brendon J. Weaver in Bernville.

Halloween contacts are commonly sold at Halloween costume stores
and flea markets, as well as beauty salons, convenience stores and the
Internet. These contact lenses put consumers’ eyes at risk for bacterial
infections, allergic reactions, and inflammation, which may then
require a medical visit with your local optometrist to treat the
corresponding problem.

“Consumers may feel they’re saving money by skipping the trip to
the eye doctor to get properly fitted with decorative contact lenses.
However, not only do over-the-counter contact lenses pose a higher risk
of eye problems, but the consumer’s perceived savings may go right out
the window with the numerous office visit co-pays and eye-drop
medications prescribed to treat the eye problems resulting from those
lenses,” added Dr. Weaver, who created a YouTube video warning consumers on the risk of wearing Halloween contact lenses (found below).

According to the AOA’s 2013 American Eye-Q® consumer survey, 17
percent of Americans have worn decorative contact lenses that don’t
provide vision correction as part of a costume or for other cosmetic
purposes. Of those individuals, 24 percent purchased them without a
prescription from a source other than an eye doctor—a great concern to
doctors of optometry.

If someone is interested in wearing decorative contact lenses for
Halloween, it’s important for the optometrist to examine that person’s
eyes to make sure they are healthy enough to support the wear of contact
lenses. The optometrist will select the appropriate material,
curvature, diameter and power (if corrective vision needed as well in
the specialty contacts) to ensure that the lenses are fitting their best
and that the patient has the best possible vision and comfort with
those lenses.

The American Optometric Association offers the following recommendations for all contact lens wearers:

Wear contact lenses only if they are fitted and prescribed by an optometrist.

Do not purchase contact lenses from gas stations, video stores,
websites, or any other place not authorized by law to dispense contact
lenses.

Make sure contact lenses are properly cleaned and disinfected as instructed by your eye-care professional.

Make sure you wash your hands before handling and cleaning your contact lenses.

Never swap or share contact lenses with anyone.

Never sleep while wearing contact lenses unless they are extended-wear lenses specifically designed for that purpose.

Information on violations should be well documented and reported
to the FTC as quickly as possible with a request for FTC investigation
and action. Violations can be reported to the FTC electronically
directly through the FTC website, https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov.

If a consumer has been harmed or injured due to the illegal sales
of Halloween contact lenses, report the incident to the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) through the FDA’s website,
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/HowToReport/ucm085568.htm.

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Please share to those thinking about wearing Halloween Contact lenses this year!

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Thank you to all the 5th graders who created posters for this year's theme, "Eyes of the Future." It was very difficult to narrow it down to the top three, since there were SO MANY good entries. Here are the winners:

Winners received a monetary award, and their artwork will be hung on the walls of Weaver Eye Care Associates.

I would recommend checking out the artwork in person, but if you can't make it to our office, here are close-ups of the winners:

First Place, Victoria Tankred

Second Place, Jordan Baer

Third Place, K'drian Vega

Congratulations to the winners, who were acknowledged during the April 8th School Board Meeting! Thank you to Dr. Albert (Tulpehocken Superintendent) for allowing me to sponsor this poster contest for the kids, and Marie DeFilipps, the elementary school art teacher, for encouraging her students to do good work!

MISSION STATEMENT: Weaver Eye Care Associates is dedicated to become the reputable leader in eye health and optical services in the community and Berks County, while striving to satisfy all patients’ needs; to establish a growing and loyal patient population that is fostered with excellent customer and public relations; to provide outstanding patient care by utilizing the latest technology in optometry equipment and educational services.